In fact I haven't played for over quarter of a century!! But I remember enjoying it enormously at the time and now regret I didn't keep it up. Thing is my daughter has just brought home from school a guitar ( six string and very small as she is only seven ) and I am hogging it trying to pick out all the old bass lines I remember, like those of Jean Jacques Burnel of The Stranglers ( love his playing, along with Norman Watt Roy ). Thing is, and this brings me to my question, I have never owned anything approaching a decent bass guitar. Not one. They were all cheap and nasty ones and that fact coupled with my long time out of playing means I have no idea what I should be looking for when I choose to buy one. Any ideas of what constitutes a good bass? Any tips would be very welcome.
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Not played for a while.
- Thread starter taylew
- Start date
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Welcome to TB, friend.
What constitutes a good bass depends upon the individual player. While it may have been a while and you may have never owned a fantastic instrument doesn't mean you can't have one now.
Get thee to a few music stores. Don't believe the hype and just put your hands on as many different basses as you can. Feel them, see which ones are the most comfortable and give you the desire to make the strings ring. Try cheap ones and try ones that are so expensive you wouldn't think of buying them, and somewhere in there, you'll find one that feels right to you. While you're at it, plug a few in and see which ones sound the way you like...once you've got that sussed out, you can keep an eye out for ones of similar configuration.
What constitutes a good bass depends upon the individual player. While it may have been a while and you may have never owned a fantastic instrument doesn't mean you can't have one now.
Get thee to a few music stores. Don't believe the hype and just put your hands on as many different basses as you can. Feel them, see which ones are the most comfortable and give you the desire to make the strings ring. Try cheap ones and try ones that are so expensive you wouldn't think of buying them, and somewhere in there, you'll find one that feels right to you. While you're at it, plug a few in and see which ones sound the way you like...once you've got that sussed out, you can keep an eye out for ones of similar configuration.
I am sure others will chime in. I wouldn't buy new gear. Go to the music stores near you and play a few basses. Get a taste of whats out there. Try a few amps also. You can probably pick up a MIM Fender Jazz or precision bass used for a few hundred or a new Squier Vintage bass for the same. Either way try before you buy.
Good luck and Welcome back to the bass.
Good luck and Welcome back to the bass.
Welcome back.
I agree thoroughly with both the previous poster's advice, especially not to beleive the hype of that price equates to performance or quality, but especially, buy secondhand. Lots of people will be willing to advise on any potential deals you might find.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to get a great teacher. Worth their weight in gold. Second is, get the bass set up properly.
Welcome to the club.
Your story is very similar to mine with the exception that I only took a 12 or 13 year break. I just got back in to playing about a year ago.
First thing I would do is try to buy used. My mistake was I bought new. I guess I was in a hurry and I wanted it now!
If your tired of playing through crappy gear then get the good stuff! I'd say if you spend about 2 grand on a used bass and amp, you would have all top of the line stuff and you would be ready to hit the road!
Your story is very similar to mine with the exception that I only took a 12 or 13 year break. I just got back in to playing about a year ago.
First thing I would do is try to buy used. My mistake was I bought new. I guess I was in a hurry and I wanted it now!
If your tired of playing through crappy gear then get the good stuff! I'd say if you spend about 2 grand on a used bass and amp, you would have all top of the line stuff and you would be ready to hit the road!
You didn't mention what sort of "cheap" basses you had owned before. If you're into a more traditional sound I guess a Precision Bass would be good place to start.
As mentioned in an earlier post, a used Mexican made Fender P bass would be good starter bass. If you want to spend a little more, see if you can find a current (upgraded) Highway 1 Fender Precision. I just bought a new Hwy 1 Jazz and am more than satified with it. I like it so much, in fact, that I plan on buying a Hwy 1 P to go with it.
As mentioned in an earlier post, a used Mexican made Fender P bass would be good starter bass. If you want to spend a little more, see if you can find a current (upgraded) Highway 1 Fender Precision. I just bought a new Hwy 1 Jazz and am more than satified with it. I like it so much, in fact, that I plan on buying a Hwy 1 P to go with it.
